By: Katelyn Stevens
Despite the odds, Dawn Staley and the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks secured their third NCAA National Championship title against the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75.
After losing their starting five going into the 2023-2024 season, South Carolina was heavily doubted. Staley herself even believed her team was ranked higher than expected after the AP preseason poll revealed they were no. 6 back in October. That didn’t stop her or her team. Staley was able to dance in confetti one more time this season with the championship trophy in her hands. She now joins the list with UCONN head coach, Geno Auriemma, and is tied with Tara VanDerveer to win three or more women’s basketball titles.
“This is the unlikeliest group to do it,” Staley said. “And sometimes, I mean, God is funny like that. He’s funny. He rips your heart out, and He makes you believe. He makes you believe the unimaginable.”
Staley is the first Black Division 1 basketball coach to complete the season undefeated, finishing 38-0.
Before clutching the title, the Hawkeyes had the advantage over the game until halfway through the second quarter. Carolina took the lead for the first time with four minutes left in the half and that was the momentum they needed to hold them over for the rest of the matchup.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Hawkeyes didn’t answer the call to Carolina’s defense and Kamilla Cardoso had her best game on the biggest stage. Cardoso finished with 17 rebounds, 15 points and three blocks. She left Cleveland with the Most Outstanding Player award and she did it all for her team.
“It was amazing. I feel like I just wanted to get out there in this tournament and just play really well for my teammates, for my coaches, and to win the championship,” Cardoso said. “So I think that’s what I did.”
Carolina’s bench points are what really sealed the deal for their victorious ending. The Gamecocks scored 37 points from the bench, compared to Iowa’s zero. It was the most bench points in the NCAA championship game over the past 25 years.
The freshmen stole the show throughout the matchup for the Gamecocks and changed the trajectory of the game. Milaysia Fulwiley’s 7-0 run chipped the deficit in the first half and Tessa Thompson and Raven Johnson had her back to take the lead over the Hawkeyes despite all the pressure of the big game.
“I was a little nervous coming into the game, but I think I just had so much faith and trust in, not only my team, but in God,” said Johnson.
The freshmen combined had 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.
Staley and the Gamecocks were welcomed back home in Columbia, SC with open arms at Colonial Life Arena yesterday afternoon. The team showed off their trophy and cut the net to celebrate a triumphant season.
The revenge tour is over.
